Moderne CommunicationsLeveraging Virtual Worlds for Government Uses

Ontario Leading the Way

Leigh RowanOctober 1, 2008

Ontario Digital Economy ConferenceHuntsville, Ontario

We’re Here to Tell a Story

The Story So Far…

• Personal and Company Introduction

• Overview of Virtual Worlds and Second Life

• Why Virtual Worlds? Why Ontario?

• We Visit Second Life

• Questions, Answers, and the story goes

on…

My Goals Today

• I aim to show how governments – including Ontario – are using virtual worlds:– To engage citizens– To improve services and accessibility– To create new/diverse jobs– To grow economies – digital, economic,

other

• Note: I am a virtual worlds evangelist!

A Brief History…of us

• TheSLAgency / Moderne Interactive:

part of Moderne Communications

– 20+ years experiential marketing programs

• VP of Interactive Marketing

• Client list includes Ontario’s MGS, the

World Bank, Harlequin Books, Nestle,

and others

Virtual Worlds & Second Life• What is Second Life?

– 3D Online Social Network. A “Virtual World” - NOT a game.

– 15+ Million people globally– Canadians are10th biggest SL population– It’s free. Downloadable software. Highly

customizable.

• Other Virtual Worlds include Forterra, There.com, Habbo, Google’s Lively, Hangout.net, and others

• Gartner study: 80% of web users in VWs by 2011

Second Life & Government

• Who’s there?– Ontario, including OPS and “Digital

Ontario” group of MGS, OIC, others– Vancouver Police Department– US States: Idaho and Missouri– US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)– NASA, NOAA, US Congress– The World Bank– Swedish Embassy, Mexico Gov’t

Tourism

What are Gov’ts Doing There?

External Uses:• Job

recruitment• Tourism/

business • Public

Awareness• Constituent

Communications

• Education• More!

Internal Uses:• Virtual

Meetings• Legislative

Voting• Telepresence• 4-day

workweek• Training• Customized

solutions

Who Visits Virtual Government Experiences?

• Thousands of people• Lengthy engagements• Real world results

Isn’t This Just Like the Web?

• EXACTLY - only better!

• This is “Web 3.0” – social, open, customizable, community-oriented, integrates with other networks/web, etc.

• Engage Citizens (many-to-many), Better Access to Services, New Jobs, New Opportunities

Ok, so… Why Ontario?

• Diverse Opportunities at the Cutting Edge– Reach: from Ontarians to Foreign Investors– Interaction: host events, lectures,

meetings– Efficiency: green aspects, easier access

• Because Ontario is a Leader!– Foresight– Innovation

How Ontario Is Using Virtual Worlds

• Digital Ontario Island (Grand Opening!)– Collaboration between MGS, OIC, others– Specialized OIC Pavilion– Includes a conference area and interactive

pavilions for each of the 6 Research Focus Areas

• Ontario Public Service Careers Island– First Ontario ministerial effort in VW– Showcase Ontario Diamond Innovation

Award-Winning! Congrats!– Virtual job recruitment and simulation– 5 of 18 job categories showcased; more soon!

What’s (Immediately) Next for Ontario in Virtual Worlds

• “Grand Opening” of Digital Ontario Island

• Expansion of OPS Careers Island

• Meetings/conferences to take place on Digital Ontario Island

What’s the Future of Virtual Worlds & Digital Economies?

• Improved Technology– Interoperability amongst VWs– Better VW technology

• More Gov’t Focus on Health, Learning, Economy

• Larger Ontarian presence!

Conclusions and Questions

• Where can I find resources?– Web:

www.TheSLAgency.com/govt– MGS: Glen Padassery/Eion

Gomes– Moderne Interactive:

• P: 516.694.1231• E:

info@modernecommunications.com

A Special Thanks To…

• Glen Padassery, MGS/OPS• Peter Yaworski, MGS/OCCS• Barbara Swartzentruber, MGS• Eion Gomes, MGS

• Ministry of Government Services, Ontario

• Most importantly: YOU!

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive!

• We’re here to answer your questions:– Joe Mastrocovi (Managing Partner)

• Joe@ModerneInteractive.com• 516-639-1057 (cell)

– Leigh Rowan (yours truly)• Leigh@ModerneInteractive.com• 831.325.3996 (cell)

– Moderne Interactive: (516) 694.1231

It Has Been a PLEASURE!

Thank you, and again, Congratulations!